Workers stand near the logo of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest producer of steel, at the steel plant in Ghent, Belgium, July 7, 2016. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

ROME (Reuters) - ArcelorMittal and steel processor Marcegaglia have won a bid to buy troubled Italian steel plant Ilva, a source with knowledge of the matter said on Friday.

The world’s top steelmaker and its Italian partner offered just under 2 billion euros (£1.74 billion) for the loss-making plant, Europe’s biggest by output capacity, the source said.

Italy has been trying to sell Ilva, based in the southern port city of Taranto, since 2015, when the state took over to clean up the polluted site and save thousands of jobs in an economically depressed area.

The special commissioners in charge of the company chose the ArcelorMittal bid over a rival one from a group including India’s JSW Steel (JSTL.NS), the source said.

Their decision now needs to be passed on to Italy’s industry ministry, which will issue a decree to ratify the decision.